Embroidered club logo polo shirts are available in both men's and women's sizes. They may be purchased at club meetings and are offered at cost to members and non-members in a dazzling array of 14 color choices in both non-pilling 100% cotton ($29) and cotton/poly blend ($25). Club caps can also be ordered. The beautiful logo has been brilliantly reproduced in all its 12 colors in a classy style that will show your pride in our club.

If you have pictures from your activities, please contact our webmaster, Greg at webmaster@azotc.com to get them posted on the website!

Meet at the Bell Road Park-N-Ride on Bell Road just West of I-17 at 6:45 AM (depart at 7:00).

This might be your last chance to conquer Arizona's highest peak, Humphries (12,633'), before the snow flies! Option to turn around at Agassiz Saddle (hike in that case would be 7.6 miles R/T with a 2400' elevation gain).

Must be prepared for windy, cold weather (windbreaker/rain gear, gloves, ski cap, etc.). No dogs and no children please.

Cost to nonmembers is $5. Only guests and new members need to contact the hike leader prior to the event.

Note that, for the month of October only, our membership meeting will be on the second rather than the first Wednesday of the month.

Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, located in Scottsdale on Granite Reef Road just north of McDowell Road.

Critters! FAUNA OF THE DESERT. Who doesn’t enjoy observing wildlife, perhaps as long as it does not get too close. At our October meeting, Steve Dodd from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy will present a program about our unique desert animals, ranging from arthropods to large mammals. He'll talk about the Conservancy's recent fauna survey, which was the first comprehensive study of what's out there, and some strange habits of the animals who live there. Steve will also have some show and tell items (but no live animals).

Come and enjoy what will be a very interesting presentation about a topic that's very relevant to us all. Bring perfectly behaved children or grandchildren. We have plenty of seats.

This marks the first of our “Mondays in the McDowells” exercise hikes. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale includes approximately 200 miles of beautiful, well-maintained trails through landscapes ranging from flat Sonoran desert to steep mountains. During the coming fall through spring, we’ll be attempting to cover all 200+/- miles of these trails. The hikes will be on Monday mornings at 7:00 AM, but pay attention to the trailhead where we’ll be meeting, since there are 5 or 6 primary ones in the Preserve. Come out and join us for all or part of the effort. The pace of the hikes will always be listed as Fast (2.5 to 3.0 mph), though on the flatter trails this will probably seem like a medium pace to most hikers.

Meet at 7:00 am (start 7:05) at the GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD, located in Scottsdale on 136th Street, 2 miles north of Dynamite/Rio Verde Road.

This is a flat and easy hike to start things off. From the Granite Mountain trailhead, we’ll follow the Maricopa Trail south to the Fraesfield Trailhead, then head back north on the 136th Street Express Trail, diverting along the way on the Morning Vista and Dixileta Trails.

Meet at 7:15 am (depart at 7:30) at the Burger King, just south of US 60 at the NE corner of Power Rd. and Superstition Springs Blvd. OR meet us at the First Water Trailhead no later than 8:00 am.

This scenic loop hike is my favorite short Superstitions hike. Expect some rocky trail conditions, but not too difficult overall. We'll go from the First Water Trailhead to Garden Valley, follow a horse trail to Hackberry Springs, and then return to the First Water Trailhead.

If you have never approached Horton Springs on the Mogollon Rim from the backside, you have to join us for this hike.

We will begin on the Hatchery Trail, which runs into the Highline trail, to Horton Springs. The trail bends and turns and rolls up and down. You will love the scenery as you hike through a plush manzanita forest, across a meadow of tall grasses and ferns, make two creek crossings (each way), and see picturesque rock formations. Once we hike the almost 4.5 miles to Horton Springs, and take a lunch/snack break, you will have the option of hiking back the way we came, or shortening the hike by a half mile by hiking down the Horton Springs Trail.

Bring a minimum 2-3 quarts of water, salty snacks, and wear sturdy hiking boots/shoes. Water shoes are not necessary as we can easily rock hop across the water.

"Dang it Granite, I love you." No this hike will not be a tribute to "Rock Horror" but since this month included three other Granite Mountain hikes near a different Granite, "Missed the Turn" invites you to a late October hike up Prescott's Granite Mountain. I have not re-hiked this trail to check on recovery conditions because the valley and the ascent portions of this hike were exposed. It will be cooler in October but not everyone enjoys a moonscape.

Check with the leader the Thursday before the hike by 8 pm.

Be prepared for late fall conditions at that altitude. 3 liters of water plus some snacks.

Meet at 7:00 am (start 7:05) at the GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD, located in Scottsdale on 136th Street, 2 miles north of Dynamite/Rio Verde Road.

We’ll do a circumference hike around Granite and Cholla Mountains, stopping along the way to explore some of the most interesting features in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including Cathedral Rock, the Amphitheater and Balanced Rock. The trails are great and the sights are beautiful.

Meet at 7:15 am (depart at 7:30) at Wendy's on Shea Blvd. in Fountain Hills, just west of the Beeline Hwy.

Ready for some fall colors and photo ops? We cannot predict nature but hopefully the timing is right. Join us for this iconic fall hike up and down this canyon. The view is always different on the way down. We will take our time to enjoy the fall foliage and capture the beauty. This will not be a looking at your feet hike but up and around to compose your best shots. Free tips will be given if desired.

Please note that this is still a challenging hike, ascending ~2000 ft in 3.5 miles. We might take the spur trail to See Canyon Spring on the return if the group desires.

Meet at 7:30 am (start hiking at 7:45) at the 40th Street Trailhead of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, located one mile south of Shea Boulevard at the end of 40th Street.

Join us for this hike on trails where Ned spent countless hours. The trails pass through scenic Sonoran landscape in the middle of Phoenix, but with no signs of the City to detract from the views. We’ll head out southward from the trailhead toward Piestawa Peak on the Yates Trail (#8), then complete a moderately paced, clockwise loop on Trail #304, the Perl Charles Trail (#1A), and the Charles Christensen Trail (#100).

Bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear sturdy hiking boots.

There will be no guest fee for this hike, so feel free to bring friends as we remember Ned in his “backyard.”

Meet at 7:00 am (start 7:05) at the GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD, located in Scottsdale on 136th Street, 2 miles north of Dynamite/Rio Verde Road.

We’ll explore the very northeast section of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on today’s hike, heading north from the Granite Mountain Trailhead on the 136th Street Express Trail to the Hawknest Trail, then returning on the High Desert, Renegade, Desperado, Coyote, Granite Mountain Loop and Bootlegger Trails. Along the way, we’ll see some very interesting desert flora, including an impressive crested saguaro.